Activate this hidden feature on your iPhone now to protect your eyes

The habit of using smartphones too much during the day has become a common health problem worldwide. According to data from many studies, users can now spend an average of 6 to 9 hours a day looking at electronic device screens, of which phones account for the largest proportion.

Not only does it affect sleep, work performance or mental health, using the phone too close and for too long also causes silent but persistent damage to the eyes.

Many people have admitted to spending more than 8 hours a day on their smartphones, sometimes even holding their phones close to their faces while lying in bed at night. As a result, their eyes become tired, red, and even feel like they have foreign objects in them.

Luckily, however, Apple has a hidden feature to solve this problem called Screen Distance.

What is the Screen Distance feature?

Introduced in the latest versions of iOS, the Screen Distance feature uses the iPhone or iPad's TrueDepth camera to track the distance between the screen and the user's face.

When the iPhone detects that the device is being used at a distance that is too close (less than 30 cm) for a certain period of time, it will display a warning message: “iPhone may be too close” and automatically dim the screen to remind the user to adjust their posture.

Holding a screen too close to your eyes doesn't cause immediate serious damage, but according to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (USA), it's a common cause of eye strain, dry corneas, headaches, and temporary vision problems.

Apple also said the feature is designed to help users, especially children, reduce the risk of nearsightedness due to using devices at unsafe distances.

How to enableScreen Distance feature on iPhone

Enabling this feature is simple and takes less than a minute. Here are the steps:

- Open the applicationSetting(Settings).

- Scroll down and selectScreen time(Screen Time).

- ClickScreen distance(Screen Distance).

You will see two tutorial screens explaining how the feature works, tapContinue(Continue) for both.

After this step, the Screen Distance feature will be automatically activated. From now on, if you accidentally hold your iPhone too close for a few minutes, the device will temporarily lock the screen and display a warning. To continue using it, you just need to move the phone further away, wait for the check mark icon to appear, then pressContinue(Continue) to reopen the screen.

This feature is not only effective for health but also helps users form the habit of using the device at a reasonable distance, especially when using in the dark or while lying down.

While a useful tool, some people may find this feature a bit annoying, especially when needing to read or work close to the device for short periods of time.

To turn off the Screen Distance feature, openSetting>Screen time > Screen distance,then toggle the toggle next to the feature off.

From then on, you can continue using your iPhone at any distance without being prompted, even though that's not good for your eyes in the long run.

Why should you turn on Screen Distance?

In addition to supporting visual health, Screen Distance is especially important for young children, a group at high risk of developing myopia due to frequent exposure to electronic devices.

According to Apple, keeping a reasonable distance when using the screen is an important part of the "technology for health" strategy that the company pursues.

In addition, this is also a way for parents to control their children's device usage habits, when children tend to glue their eyes to the iPad or iPhone to play games or watch videos.

In short, even though it is just a small feature, Screen Distance brings great value to users' health, especially in an era where smartphones have become inseparable.

Protecting your eyesight doesn't require complicated equipment or expensive medical procedures; sometimes, just a few small changes in your habits and taking advantage of the features available on your phone can make a difference.